Method of removing odor from labels and other printed material



Patented Mar. 30, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE METHOD OF REMOVING ODOR FROM LABELS AND OTHER PRINTED MATE- RIAL No Drawing. Application April 9, 1932, Serial No. 604,355

2 Claims.

Freshly printed labels that are commonly used on packages of chewing gum, rolls of hard candies and other confectionery have a strong oifensive odor which, of course, must be removed be- 5 fore applying the labels to the packages. Heretofore it has been the practice to keep the labels in storage until they are free of ofiensive odors, but this takes considerable time, usually upwards of twelve months or even more, to produce. satisfactory results.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a process of treating labels and other printed material whereby offensive odors may be removed quickly and inexpensively.

I have found that the desired result may be secured by subjecting the printed labels, or other printed material to be treated, to rapidly circulating heated air that carries a definitely controlled moisture ratio. This process is to be con- 20 tinued until odor is lost, usually about forty-eight hours.

In the preferred manner of carrying out my improved process, the labels or other materials to be treated are placed loosely on a rack, usually 25 in stacks or piles, in a closed room or other compartment. A current of air, preferably of a temperature of approximately one hundred and sixty degrees Fahrenheit with relative humidity between seventy and eighty per cent. varying with 0 the amount of moisture desired in the finished material, is circulated through the compartment and through the loosely arranged printed material, the velocity of the air being as high as practicable. If desired ninety per cent. of this air 35 may be recirculated, the balance of ten per cent.

being makeup to keep the air in the system in a fresh condition. Ordinarily the printed material should be subjected to the treatment for approximately forty-eight hours.

It will be apparent that in carrying out my improved process as above described, the surfaces of the labels or other printed material are continuously subjected to moist air. The circulating current of air effectively and continuously carries off the odor arising from the ink, so that by continuing the process for a sufficient length of time, the material may be substantially freed of odor. The relatively high temperature assists in the oxidation of the fresh printing ink and the Water vapor present assists in carrying off the offensive odors present. Another important feature is that the relative humidity is such as to maintain the degree of moisture originally in the labels constant so that there is no drying or deadening of the paper which would tend tocause them to curl or otherwise become distorted. By my improved process the labels are maintained in their original flat condition, and are ready for use. immediately after being treated. My improved process may be carried out easily and cheaply, and without employing specially constructed apparatus.

As will be evident to those skilled in the art, my invention permits various modifications to be made without departing from the spirit thereof or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. The method of removing odor from labels and other printed material which comprises placing the printed material loosely in a room or other closed compartment, and circulating air through the room at a temperature of approximately one hundred sixty degrees Fahrenheit, and of a relative humidity corresponding to the moisture desired in the material of the labels.

2. The method of removing odor from labels and other printed material which comprises placing the printed material loosely in a room or other closed compartment and circulating air through the room at a temperature of substantially one hundred and sixty degrees Fahrenheit, and of a relative humidity of seventy to eighty per cent.

DOUGLAS M. MCBEAN. 

